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What defines a downtown? My town has what I think is supposed to be a downtown and I don't really like it. I hate street parking (both doing it and the fact tha
by jimmaswell 9y ago
What defines a downtown? My town has what I think is supposed to be a downtown and I don't really like it. I hate street parking (both doing it and the fact that it creates dangerous situations of not being able to see around a corner and making the road too narrow), there are too many pedestrians, and traffic is slow. Something feels very wrong about having to use metered street parking to go to a post office.
I like spread-out malls/stores a lot better. I hope they find a way to reverse the trend. Besides simply economic concerns, I think the human factor has to be considered. Malls/mini-malls and countrysides/suburb-like environments are a lot nicer for many (I'd guess most) people. I don't think the fact that the budget balances better on a spreadsheet with more density means it's worth it. Preserving a better way of life is an appropriate case for subsidies.
At least drive-thrus probably aren't going anywhere for a while.
- elvinyung 9y agoI noticed most of your complaints are related to using a car :) I would say that in a "real" downtown area, you're not supposed to use a car at all. Not having to allocate land for parking essentially allows businesses to be clustered closer together and be more accessible to everyone, without everyone having to own their own car to get anywhere. To quote Jane Jacobs: > The point of cities is multiplicity of choice. It is impossible to take advantage of multiplicity of choice without being able to get around easily.
- tracker1 9y agoI don't quite get why a nearby parking lot and a relatively short track trolley isn't a more common thing.
- elvinyung 9y agoWell, I think what you're describing is essentially good public transit. Anecdotally, I know that in Toronto some people park their car on the outskirts, and then take transit down to the core.